PM lauds NGO's role to provide artificial limbs to Kashmiris

An NGO from Jaipur working with the disabled in the Valley has got a pat on the back from Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

"I am extremely happy that the Prime Minister's Relief Fund, in collaboration with the state government and Bhagwan Mahaveer Viklang Sahayata Samiti (BHVSS), Jaipur, has initiated a project in the Kashmir Valley to provide world renowned Jaipur foot and other aids to 1,300 persons who have unfortunately lost their limbs or suffered other locomotive disabilities," Modi said in the letter.

A special camp to provide mobility aid to 1,300 physically challenged people from Jammu and Kashmir was organised here on Thursday.

During the camp, the disabled were provided with artificial limbs and other aids and appliances such as calipers, wheel chairs and tricycles.

Addressing the people suffering disabilities, Modi wrote, "I am sure that this endeavour will considerably alleviate, and help you overcome, difficulties while providing greater mobility and productivity to you. I do hope that this will also be a step to enable you to hereafter live a life of greater dignity, both in your family and society at large."

According to a press statement from the NGo, the organisation has been holding an artificial limb fitment camp to provide mobility and dignity to the disabled in Srinagar from August 28. ``This camp is being organised with the generous support from the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund(PMNRF) on the basis of the recommendation of ministry of home affairs,'' the statement read.

The BMVSS had organised three camps at Srinagar, Baramulla and Kupwara in 2012, including a camp with the help of the army along the Line of Control (LoC) which benefited 800 people.

"It has been noted during our camps the demands for the Jaipur Foot, wheel chairs and tricycles are very high in the Valley and the needy are generally poor people who are unable to afford these aids and appliances. The position is particularly acute in the area along the LoC due to frequent shelling in districts bordering the LoC and for accidents and congenital reasons" said V R Mehta, founder of BMVSS